As a geek, I like to reward those in the industry that try to be bold. That try to be different. That try to leave the beaten path. That look at the norm in the market, and decide to ignore it. Despite all its flaws, Microsoft did just that with its Metro user interface, incarnations of which are used on both Windows Phone and Windows 8.

I was a Windows Phone user since day one. I bought an HTC HD7 somewhere around release day, and imported it into The Netherlands, a year before the platform became available in The Netherlands. I wanted to reward Microsoft's mobile team for trying to be different, for being original, for not copying iOS and Android and instead coming up with something fresh and unique. Despite all the limitations and early adopter issues, I loved it.

Accidentally I have been to the states recently (living in Germany). There is a nice Microsoft store in the Florida Mall in Orlando (quite close to the always crowded Apple store).

And they had Surface 2 devices on display. A lady gave me neat demo and I could play with it. But they could not sell me one because they had none in stock. An nobody knew when they would receive the first batch of devices.

Compare this with the iPad Air: Introduced this week, available next week downtown in the Apple store.

For another experience visit the Microsoft Digital Eatery here in Berlin. I have been there about a month ago. The clerks outnumbered the visitors: one or two lurkers and an elderly couple who got a personal Windows 8 presentation. I approached one employee and he told me that they only showcase the technology but they won't sell anything... WTF?